HCPSS Family Kickoff Rescheduled for Sept. 27, 2025

July 3rd, 2025

This event has been rescheduled from an earlier planned date in August to a new date/location of Saturday, Sept. 27 at Oakland Mills High School.

Download the Family Academy Kickoff flier.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will host a Family Academy Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m.-noon at Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. The districtwide event is designed for all HCPSS parents/guardians and will feature:

An information session with HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes
Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
Information on enrichment opportunities; education and youth programs; housing and social services; opportunities for parent engagement with the school system; and more.

Child care and language access will also be provided. (Note: only families who register by September 15 can be guaranteed to receive childcare.)

“Our goal is to create a space where every family feels connected, informed, and empowered,” said Dr. Shereé M. Tilley-Whitaker, coordinator of the HCPSS Office of Student Access & Achievement. “This event reflects our district’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with families and ensuring all students have the support they need to thrive.”

Registration is suggested. However, families in need of childcare are asked to register by Monday, September 15, 2025.

For more information about the event or to get involved, contact Dr. Shereé Tilley-Whitaker at sheree_tilley-whitaker@hcpss.org or 410-313-6804.

HCPSS Program/Office	Information/Service Provided
Advanced Programs	Discover ways your student can explore their interests, develop their strengths, and express their voice through K-12 Advanced Programs. Learn how your student can become involved in a variety of offerings that enrich and extend their learning — whether developing creative thinking strategies in a Primary Talent Development lesson, implementing engineering practices in a STEM Seminar, or conducting original research in the Advanced Research courses.
Career & Technical Education	Receive informational materials regarding Career and Technology (CTE) coursework, career academy options, and opportunities available to all students. CTE staff will also be present to answer questions and help provide guidance for students/parents.
Dual Enrollment & Postsecondary Access	Learn how students can access comprehensive career counseling in middle and high school through the HCPSS NextStep Program Learn how students can learn more about JumpStart Dual Enrollment to earn college credits as early as 8th grade
Early Childhood Special Education	Learn how to get free early intervention services for children from birth to age five with developmental delays or disabilities Learn how to apply for the Learning Together Program for 3-year-olds
English Language Development	Find out what English Language Development services are available in schools Learn how students are identified for English Language Development services
Safety Initiative
Pupil Personnel Services/Title I- Homeless Team	Provide information and resources for students and families that may be experiencing homelessness and are in temporary housing.
Special Education	Learn how the special education process works, including the referral process and what services are available

Additional local participating organizations include:

Organization	Information/Service Provided
Ad Astra	Receive information about this organization.
AFS-USA Howard County Chapter	Learn about opportunities for high school students to apply for full scholarships to study in Germany, apply for need based scholarships to study abroad, and volunteer with exchange students here in Howard County. Talk to current exchange students and test your knowledge of international flags!
Autism Society of Maryland	Receive information about this organization.
Backpack Healthcare	Receive information about this organization.
Bridges to Housing Stability	Receive information about the Family Home Start Program and its requirements, along with general information about Bridges’ programs in case people don’t qualify for FHS.
Bright Minds Foundation	Receive information about HCPSS’ education foundation.
Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County	Learn about CAC’s five core services for families in temporary need of assistance. These programs include access to the Howard Counrty Food Bank, Housing Assistance/Eviction Prevention, Energy Assistance, Early Childhood Education up to age 5, and Home Weatherization services.
Columbia Community Care	Receive information about this organization.
CP Soccer	Receive information about this organization.
Delta Sigma Theta	Receive information about this organization.
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland	Receive information about the programs we will be running this upcoming year, membership & financial aid information, and a take away STEM activity for the kids.
Grassroots Crisis Intervention	Receive information about this organization.
HC DrugFree	Receive resources regarding HC DrugFree’s FREE services: Substance use/misuse education, Parenting Classes, Student Life Skills Classes, drive-thru medication and sharps disposal events, how to join our Teen Advisory Council (open to Howard County students in 8th to 12th grades), opportunities to earn Community Service Hours, and more.
HopeWorks of Howard County	Receive information about HopeWork’s mission, vision, services, and programs, highlighting the Youth Leadership Project. The HopeWorks Youth Leadership Project is a service-learning program dedicated to empowering teens (ages 13 to 18) to challenge systems of oppression and prevent relationship violence in their community.
Howard Community College	Discover what makes an HCC education the smart choice on your personal pathway to success.
Howard County Chinese School	Receive information about this organization.
Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services	Receive information about this organization.
Howard County Education Federal Credit Union	Receive information about this organization.
Howard County Health Department	Receive information about this organization.
Howard County Library System	Receive resources for families regarding Library resources, class offerings, and materials available for check out/use, as well as information about the A+ Student Card and HCPSS A+ Partnership
Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE)	Learn about the FREE resources available from the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, an office in Howard County Government dedicated to eradicating discrimination, increasing equal opportunity, and protecting and promoting human rights in Howard County. These include free-of-charge investigative services for those who have been unlawfully discriminated against, as well as free educational programs, trainings, presentations, listening sessions, and events for those who live, work, and study in Howard County. Discover how you can partner with OHRE to create tailored resources for your community, group, organization, or neighborhood. Learn about the opportunities, resources, and work of the five Commissions serving under the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity: the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission, Human Rights Commission, La Alianza Latina Commission, LGBTQIA+ Commission, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. Appointed by the County Executive and the County Council, each volunteer Commissioner is committed to furthering human rights and equity throughout the County while advocating for the community members served by their Commission. Learn about Commission vacancies for both adults and students, how to apply, and what resources each Commission has available for those who live, work, and study in Howard County.
Howard County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Board)	Receive information about this state-mandated, parent-led advisory council that advocates on behalf of students receiving special education services within HCPSS.
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union	Learn about student and family financial wellness resources, including savings accounts, college planning, and budgeting tools. Connect with our Business Development Team for personalized guidance on credit union membership, financial literacy programs, and school partnerships.
Lambda Gamma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated	Receive information about this organization.
Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center	Receive information about this organization.
Maryland Coalition of Families	Receive information about this organization.
Maryland Legal Aid	Receive information about this organization.
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center	Receive information about this organization.
NAMI Howard County	Receive information about this organization.
Ohana of Howard County	Receive information about this organization.
PTA Council of Howard County	Receive information about this organization.
Right Step	Receive information about this organization.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace	Receive information on how to apply for and receive a free bed for children from 3 to 17 years old.
Special Olympics of Howard County	Receive information about this organization.
The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County	Receive information about this organization.
TurnAround, Inc.	Receive information about this organization.
Zeta Alpha Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated	Receive information about this organization.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorpoarted- Lambda Gama Zeta Youth Group	Learn about youth programs that focus on leadership development, offering guidance, mentorship, and meaningful experiences that mold and inspire future leaders. Learn about available scholarships.